Women today see two paths before them--one marked tradition and the other feminism. Malcolm observes that both of these choices serve up certain roles that give women their identity. But, she insists, for Christian women there is a third path: a woman must find her identity in her relationship with Jesus Christ.
Malcolm's years in the mission field immersed her in cultures where the laity--regardless of gender--took turns preaching and exercising spiritual gifts. When she returned to America she found an evangelical backlash against women's liberation that attempted to limit women to house and family. Malcolm asserts that discipleship and the gospel commission are a Christian woman's first priority. Only then will all other relationships and roles find their rightful places.
The author traces the contribution of women to the church from Christ's time to the present. She admits that true discipleship will always mean following a narrow road: "few there be that find it." As He revealed to Mary and Martha, Christ is more interested in a woman's obedience to God than in her role.
Malcolm challenges women to ask whether fear, low self-image, or sociological conditioning is keeping them from becoming anointed channels of God's love. And she calls women to a love relationship with Christ in which they will become prophetic voices, catalysts for His changes, and healing agents in a suffering world.